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November 27, 2012

Review: 2012 Ford Everest 2.5 Limited

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Everyone likes change. If change didn’t happen, then you’ll still be making phone calls in a booth, and you wouldn’t be reading stuff like this over the internet. Though change is generally good, there’s a fine line of being too conservative and too radical. If there’s too little challenge, you’ll be branded as passé. If you’re too radical, they’ll say you’re weird. Finding the exact mix is the challenge to becoming well-received.

Lexus Manila Launches All-new LS

Lexus Manila unveiled the new 2012 LS model range, including the LS 460L 5-seater and 4-seater.

Following the recent GS and ES models, the new Lexus flagship is a bold blend of refinement and evolution. It incorporates powerful new styling featuring the Lexus spindle grille design, with enhanced driving dynamics and industry-leading technology.

(L-R): Minnie Valencia, VP for Marketing and Sales, Paolo Borromeo and Max Borromeo, Dealer Principals, Matt Bradley, Ford ASEAN President and Randy Krieger, Ford Group Philippines President.

Ford Philippines today celebrated the continued expansion of its nationwide dealer network with the groundbreaking of the Ford Alabang dealership and the opening of the new Ford Pampanga dealership. Matt Bradley, president, Ford ASEAN, and Randy Krieger, president, Ford Philippines joined Ford’s dealer principals at both locations to help celebrate the milestones.

Auto enthusiasts have a treat in store at the upcoming 6th Manila Auto Salon, with the latest trend in vehicle customization through 3M Vehicle Wrap Film Series 1080. Exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Winterpine Marketing Corporation, 3M car wraps will be showcased through an on-site installation at their booth at the SMX Convention Center from November 29 to December 2, 2012. As a special offer for Manila Auto Salon visitors, all bookings for a 3M full vehicle wrap will be offered at 50% discount.

In partnership with Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru in the Philippines, and Auto Trend, a premium car dealer, three outstanding vehicles will be customized with the 3M Vehicle Wrap Film for the exhibit.

First Drive: 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera S

There’s no shape more instantly recognizable than the silhouette of a Porsche 911. With its illustrious history going back to 1963, no other car has been the epitome of careful progress and evolution from the stables of Stuttgart in Germany. From tip to stern, the all-new 911 (internal designation 991) continues the legacy penned by Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche but modernized with cutting-edge technology.

The all-new 911 is one of the biggest development steps in the history of the model. Almost 90 percent of components have been redeveloped including an all-new platform, only the third since the original 911. The new 911 grows 100 millimeters between the wheels and some 55 millimeters in overall length, but with shorter overhangs (minus 32 millimeters in front and 12 millimeters at the back) and a lower roofline than the previous model. Yet despite the increase in size, because the 911 predominantly uses aluminum in its construction, the new car is up to 50 kilograms lighter than before.

Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW cars in the Philippines, will serve as the official premium mobility sponsor of the 37th Consular Corps Ball which will be held on November 30. A fleet of 5 Series units will be used to shuttle VIP guests during the said event.

Volvo Car Corporation has taken another step on the journey towards autonomous driving - self-driving vehicles - by demonstrating a new traffic jam assistance system. The new system, whereby the car automatically follows the vehicle in front in slow-moving queues up to 50 km/h, will be ready for production in 2014.

Food, Fun, and the Ford Focus: Two Unique Fuel Eco Runs

Photos by Ulysses Ang and Ford Philippines

Fuel economy runs have become dime-a-dozen for us in the motoring media. Whenever there’s an invite for one of these things, we put on a game face, all for the glory of which team sips the least fuel. The strategies and techniques for becoming the ultimate fuel miser are well-known that there are no “trade secrets” to speak of. In short, give us a list of who’s going on a fuel economy run, and we can tell which team will win even before the start flag’s waved.

Sensing this predictability, Ford Philippines has come up with two unique fuel economy runs designed not just to test the mettle of its newest compact, the Focus, but to bring out hidden talents of some in the motoring press.

With more than 150 thousand ‘LIKES’, Kia Motors Philippines’ Facebook page just upped the ante for local and multinational brands who use the social media website for their digital marketing campaigns. Bringing ‘A Different Beat’ experience to its customers, Kia launched the Kia Beat Bop and Create Your Own Beat which allows their Facebook fans to play for a new iPad and even a Kia Picanto.

The period January-October 2012 saw the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) post 18% growth in total sales to 24,004 units from the 20,340 units sold in the same period last year. Said growth can be attributed to strong sales in the Passenger Car (PC) segment, which went up by 29% and in the Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) sales that grew by 5%. The launch of new models also provided the extra boost in sales, especially in the LCV category.

The positive sales performance was steered by British United Automobiles, Inc. (MINI), The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (Chevrolet) and Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc.’s newly launched models. Each member registered an overall increase of 41%, 23%, and 13% respectively.

Review: 2012 Toyota Camry 2.5 V

Photos by Ulysses Ang

No one’s denying that the Toyota Camry is the perfect choice for the executive. Aside from a company car friendly price tag, the Camry’s got all the toys for high levels of passenger pampering and promises one of the lowest maintenance cost in its class. If there’s one complaint that almost everyone levels at the Camry, it’s this: it lacks any sort of driver involvement. However, even that’s changed with the all-new model.

Manila’s premiere styling and tuning show, the 6th MANILA AUTO SALON opens its gates again on November 29 to December 2, 2012 at the SMX Convention Center , Mall of Asia in Pasay City with a legendary twist.

“Racing With Legends” is a documentary, which for the first time ever, shows the great racing events that transpired during the Golden Age of Philippine motor sports and tells about the pioneering spirits of the race car drivers and organizers of that special era.

Hyundai Enters Q4 with 13% Growth Fueled by Passenger Car Sales

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, opens Q4 with overall sales up by 13% to 18,818 units sold from January to October, as opposed to 16,705 units in the same period last year. While total sales of the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment declined by 12%, vehicles under the Passenger Car (PC) segment hoisted sales with 11,593 units sold, 37% better than the 8,474 units sold from January to October in 2011. This positive performance was due to the impressive sales of the Accent and EON.

Meanwhile, October alone saw a drop in sales by 9% with 1,662 units sold, due to the delayed unit arrivals of some models, as compared to the 1,822 units sold in the same month last year. Although PC sales in this month experienced a slowdown in sales, LCV sales grew by 28% due to the timely arrival of units of the all-new Santa Fe.

Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Launches Mirage

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation is adding more fun and excitement to its vehicle lineup as it introduces the all-new Mirage. The all-new Mirage is a global car developed on the concepts of high fuel efficiency, affordability and compactness. Produced in Mitsubishi Motors Thailand, this global car features excellent fuel economy, very environment friendly with very low carbon emission, optimized equipment for exceptional value and most of all it is fun and easy to drive. The all-new Mirage is available in GLX and GLS variants with both 5-speed manual transmission and Continuously Variable transmissions to choose from.

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) finished the month of October with another record breaking performance. This was the 2nd time this year (after July’s 6,258) that the manufacturer has registered a milestone sales level. Based on the most recent CAMPI report, Toyota Motor Philippines tallied 6,946 units, the highest any manufacturer in the country has ever registered in a single month.

Mitsubishi Mirage Philippine Launch: The Video

This is perhaps one of the most innovative launches in recent memory for a car in the Philippines. Using the Microtel Hotel near Mall of Asia as a screen, Mitsubishi playfully projected moving images of its Mirage going through its paces. Here's wishing we'll get more launches like these!

Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force a Look at G-Class of the Future

At the Los Angeles Design Challenge 2012, Mercedes-Benz is presenting its Ener-G-Force Concept, a cool design study that shows off what a G-Class will look like in 2025. And according to Gorden Wagener, Director of Design at Mercedes-Benz Cars, it proves a clue about a "new beginning for the off-road design idiom of Mercedes-Benz".

How Porsche Re-Manufactures Classic Emblems: Video

Porsche Classic is now willing to sell reproduced emblems for early 911 or 356 models. Of course, what makes it even more spectacular is the level of detail they go through just for one of these crests.

November 18, 2012

Petron Officially Launches "Passion for Porsche" Promo

The big boys of the Petron basketball team have caught the “Passion for Porsche” fever! In photo are (L-R): Chris Lutz with the red Porsche Cayman and the silver Porsche Cayenne; Danny Ildefonso holding the white Porsche GT3 RSR available starting December 1; and JunMar Fajardo with the blue Porsche Panamera and the black Porsche Carrera.

These Porsche collectible toy cars are offered in the “Petron Passion for Porsche” promo, which runs from November 1, 2012 to January 31, 2o13. For every P1,000-worth of Petron Blaze, XCS, Xtra Unleaded, Turbo Diesel or Diesel Max purchase, a Petron customer can avail of a Porsche collectible toy car for only P180.

Manila’s premiere styling and tuning show, the 6th MANILA AUTO SALON starts the big guns firing on November 29 to December 2, 2012 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Again the Big Guns are expected to collide as the show begins in the garages of the top tuning shops in the country.

“Every year the collisions are more intense and the crowd sees more and more talent, in terms of designs, configurations, and out-of-the box thinking” explains organizer Tradeshow International President, Sophie de los Santos. “The drama for the show begins at the tuning shops as they strategize for the win.”

Two very lucky ladies spent the recent holidays watching the spectacular Formula One Grand Prix live at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi from November 2-4, 2012.

Cheryl Lancero of Dasmariñas, Cavite, and Catherine Liwag of Sampaloc, Manila, both businesswomen, were two of the thousands who joined the Petron “Blaze Your Way to the Grand Prix” promo. Running from July 15 to September 15, 2012, the promo was open to all Petron customers who used their MasterCards to purchase P2,000 worth of Petron fuels, Petron lubricants, or Petron Gasul from participating Petron stations, and registering a unique code in the official Petron Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PetronCorporation).

Subaru Launches Forester in Japan: Video

Watch how Subaru launched their Forester in a very unique fashion in Japan using the cars as screens. The effect is you see the car being "assembled" on stage. It makes for a great start to the week :-)

November 13, 2012

UPDATED: Official: Subaru Releases 2014 Forester Details

After countless spy photos, speculations, and even clandestine photos taken from Subaru's stockyard, Subaru has finally released details on their all-new 2014 Forester which is slated to debut in Japan on November 13 and for the North American market at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

It’s only November, and I already feel like a child anticipating Christmas morning, waiting with hope and trepidation to drive the Ford Mustang. Although I’ve already driven it a couple of times in the past, there’s really something about the Mustang that draws me to it. This is certainly one of those cars I wish I’d get my hands on sooner, but I’ve had the hotly-anticipated car pulled from under my nose more than once due to schedule changes. I made offerings to whatever gods I could find on the internet and waited for my day or should I say, week behind the wheel. Apparently, my karma was in good shape as a bright Race Red Ford Mustang GT finally greeted me on my driveway.

This is, by far, one of the most powerful cars I’ve ever come across with. The Ford Mustang is not only a frighteningly potent car (the mere mention of its 420 horsepower V8 was enough to whiten my knuckles), it’s a clear sign that the folks working at Ford Philippines are true car enthusiasts who wanted to bring the iconic muscle car back to the country.

After disappointing reviews and feed back from both critics and buyers alike, Honda has re-designed its ninth-generation Civic for 2013 (at least for the North American market). Full details and more photos will be available at its reveal at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but here's what we already know:

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series: Video

Mercedes-Benz has launched the first video of its new SLS AMG Black Series and its 622 horsepower V8 engine. Enjoy this minute-long video of the new 315 km/h super car. It's a great way to start the week!

Ford Ranger Wins International Pick-Up Award 2013

The new Ford Ranger has won the "International Pick-Up Award 2013" making it the third international award Ford has won this year.

Every member of the judging panel ranked the new Ranger as their number one choice; praising its performance on- and off-road, strong engine line-up, payload and towing capability, and safety.

Mazda to Produce Toyota Vehicles at Mexico Plant

Mazda Motor Corporation has just announced that it will be building Toyota vehicles at the Mazda plant in Mexico. The manufacturing facility, which is currently under construction, will produce a Toyota-brand vehicle for sale mainly in North America. The sub-compact Toyota will be based off the Mazda2 and will start production around the summer of 2015 at a pace of 50,000 units per year.

Mazda's plant in Mexico is scheduled to start production by March 2014 with Toyota investing an "appropriate" portion of production equipment costs and development costs related to the Toyota vehicle and also an appropriate portion of costs related to the plant's production capacity increase.

Currently, the Mazda Mexico plant is scheduled to produce the Mazda2 and Mazda3 vehicles with an annual capacity of 140,000 units.

This could mean we'll see all-new Mazda2 before the summer of 2015 (perhaps as early as late 2013 or 2014), and that the all-new Toyota Yaris will be relegated to service in Europe and Asia while Toyota will be getting their own sub-compact car.

Petron Offers "Passion for Porsche" Promotion

Petron, the country’s leading oil company, is offering sports car lovers the opportunity to have their very own collection of Porsche toy cars through the “Petron Passion for Porsche” promo, beginning November 1, 2012.

For only P1,000-worth of fuel purchase, using a single or accumulated receipts, a Petron customer can avail of a Porsche collectible toy car for only P180. Four models will be offered initially—a black Porsche Carrera, a red Porsche Cayman, a blue Porsche Panamera, and a silver Porsche Cayenne. To complete your set of 5, the white Porsche GT3 RSR will be available starting December 1, 2012.

Philippine Car Price Guide: November 2012

We're nearing the end of the year and you know what that means: not much new cars. Nonetheless, there are some new additions to the November 2012 edition of the Philippine Car Price Guide as well as several price adjustments. Here are some to name a few:

Chevrolet Traiblazer
Great Wall Haval H5
Great Wall Voleex C30
Great Wall Wingle
Hyundai Genesis Coupe (FL)
Isuzu D-MAX LS 4WD
Kia Sportage 2.0 EX CRDi 2WD
Peugeot 508
Peugeot 3008
Peugeot 5008
Peugeot RCZ
Subaru WRX STI 4DR A-Line

Ford Posts Best-Ever Monthly Sales in Philippines

Ford Philippines today reported that October represented its all-time best monthly performance, with strong demand across all nameplates driving overall retail sales up by 50 percent year-over-year to 1,248 units.

The record month was given a significant boost by the best-ever month for the Ford Ranger pickup, as the class-defining all-new Ranger delivered sales that jumped 213 percent from the previous generation truck last year to 282 units.

American Suzuki Motor Corporation, the sole distributor of Suzuki automobiles in the US has announced that it's pulling out of the US car market and has filled for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Citing low sales volumes, limited number of models in its line-up, unfavorable foreign exchange rates, among others, Suzuki will cease to sell cars and trucks in the US market after stocks are depleted and instead will re-align their business solely on motorcycles, ATVs, and watercraft.

A probe done by the US-based Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has concluded that Hyundai and Kia have both been found guilty of exaggerating a majority of their vehicle's fuel economy claims for the 2012 and 2013 model years. Apparently, the EPA estimates that this practice has been done since late 2010. As such, both of these Korean automakers will compensate the owners of some 900,000 vehicles sold under the now false claims.

Volvo Philippines continues to go full throttle as it takes the concept of customer service to a new level. In addition to the obvious offerings from the Volvo workshop – such as Volvo Genuine Parts, Volvo methods and internationally trained Volvo technicians – the Volvo dealer has a complete service offering where the customer is always in focus. A fully integrated offer, Volvo Service 2.0 offers the Volvo owner something new, and something more than what others are offering.

Subaru to Hold Kansha Festival on November 14-18

Motor Image Pilipinas (MIP), the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the country, along with its authorized dealers will hold it’s much awaited annual Kansha Festival from November 14 -18, 2012 at all of its showrooms. Also known as Subaru customer appreciation week, the Kansha festival is originally a celebration adapted from the Japanese “Kinro Kansha no Hi” or Labor Thanksgiving Day.

In observance of this holiday in Japan, Motor Image will be using the same theme by giving away exclusive offers on selected Subaru vehicles, accessories, parts, aftersales service and even Subaru Lifestyle merchandise items which will only be offered only during the campaign week.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is pleased to announce the much awaited launch of the all-new Mitsubishi Mirage on November 16. With this, MMPC will be treating its valued customers and the general public to a night filled with fun and awesome music as it holds the Mirage Music Festival at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. Simply as exciting as driving home the all-new Mirage, MMPC promises you to experience an overwhelming night of surprises and an array good music from some of the country’s top OPM bands such as Pupil, General Luna, Up Dharma Down, Urbandub and a lot more.

Aside from the superb band lineup for the Mirage Music Festival, MMPC will also giveaway exciting raffle prizes such as iPads, Toshiba Netbook, Toshiba LCD TVs, and cool Mirage exclusives such as T-shirts, Mirage USB drives and wireless PC mouse.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, proudly announces that two Filipino Service Advisors (SA) from the HARI dealership network won top honors at the 1st Hyundai Service Advisor Championship. Mr. Eduard de Guzman, who landed among the top 10 finalists, and Mr. Rommel Agpoon, stood out from among 62 participants from 44 countries to bag the Outstanding Skills and Recognized Skills Awards respectively, exhibiting Hyundai's continued commitment to service excellence.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Car engineers and designers work on new products three to five years before the eventual market versions show up on the showroom floor. For Chevrolet, this would mean they’ve been carefully crafting and honing their Colorado pick-up as early as 2007; and at the time, the pick-up market was vastly different. Pick-ups were small, simple, and largely uncomfortable.

Boy, how times have changed. Fast-forward to today and pick-ups have become more of everyday vehicles: it transports the kids to school and the wife to work while still being able to do a bit of hauling every now and then. For all intents and purposes, buyers are now looking at pick-ups as alternatives to compact crossovers especially given the higher cost of unleaded gasoline as well as the poor condition of Philippine roads and their propensity to flash flood. In this regard, Chevrolet was caught napping.

Mediacorp Subaru Challenge 2012 Crowns Winner After 78 Hours

The MediaCorp Subaru Challenge 2012 – The Asian Face-Off came to a sensational close today, with 42-year-old Singaporean Gan Yu Shen Tholmas taking top honors in a grueling 78 hours 30 minutes face-off, clocking the second longest winning time in the 11 years of the Challenge.

The three-time participant, Mr. Gan, was a direct entry contestant who was selected from an online competition organized by Motor Image on the “I Love Subaru’ Facebook fan page.

A late afternoon heavy downpour today brought welcome relief to contestants who braved the unusually hot weather conditions for more than 50 hours in the MediaCorp Subaru Challenge 2012 – The Asian Face-Off.

The rain renewed optimism among the remaining 36 contestants in the 11th annual event - 25 from Singapore and 11 from nine regional teams, facing off at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza for the top prize of a Subaru car.

In any family, there’s always a degree of sibling rivalry going on. Whether it’s comparing which one shoots hoops better or aces more tests, pitting siblings in what seems to be a head-to-head grudge match is almost unavoidable in any family. Naturally, this comparison is much more heated when you’re talking about twins—people typically comment that one is more handsome or smarter than the other.

Heat, Humidity Take Toll on Subaru Challenge Participants; Contestants Down to 80

The heat and humidity ignited the fighting spirit in contestants today at Asia’s biggest endurance challenge.

As an added incentive to spur the contestants on, organizers declared an additional cash prize of S$5000 for the second place winner.

As the contest entered its second night, in what is expected to be an arduous face-off to win the top prize, 80 contestants remain, with 30 from the regional teams and 50 from Singapore.

High Spirits Buoy Subaru Challenge Participants

The high heat and humidity did little to lower spirits yesterday at the start of Asia’s biggest endurance challenge.

The Mediacorp Subaru Challenge 2012 – The Asian Face-Off, now in its 11th year, kicked off at 1pm yesterday at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, with 400 participants from 10 countries across the region vying to win a Subaru car.

MediaCorp Subaru Challenge 2012 Kicks Off

Asia’s most anticipated endurance challenge kicked off at 1pm sharp today at Ngee Ann City’s Civic Plaza, with 400 participants from around the region vying to win a much coveted Subaru Car.

More than 900 competition hopefuls thronged the event site this morning, some as early as 7am, for the chance to take part in the final qualifying round and go into what is expected to be an arduous, four-day face-off to win the top prize of a Subaru car, additional titles and cash prizes.

Change is about to happen at Smokey Mountain as Caltex’s latest social investment initiative, Driving Change with Caltex, makes a stop at Manila’s once dumpsite with the goal of providing the children in the community an avenue where they can play and rebuild the childhood joys they had missed out on due to poverty.

Driving Change with Caltex is the company’s latest reality community project show, in partnership with Fox International Channels (FIC), which harnesses the power of social media to embark on regional social efforts, from October 5 to November 4, 2012, spanning five Caltex markets in Asia—Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Philippines, and Singapore.

Volkswagen Appoints Ayala Corporation as Philippine Distributor

Volkswagen AG, Europe's largest car maker, has chosen to partner with one of the Philippines' largest and most respected business groups, Ayala Corporation. In a statement issued from its headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, Volkswagen announced the appointment of Ayala's wholly owned subsidiary, Ayala Automotive Holdings Corporation, as the Philippines distributor of Volkswagen passenger vehicles. This distributorship agreement brings together two premiere corporate names to compete in an industry with high growth potential.

Ferrari recently set a record-breaking parade of 964 Ferrari cars during the Ferrari Racing Days at the Silverstone Circuit in the UK. The event has been officially entered into the Guinness Book of World Records. Having previously set a record of 385 cars at Silverstone in 2007, the record was then transferred to Japan in 2008 with a parade of 490 Ferrari cars at the Suzuka circuit. Ferrari, together with the Ferrari Owners Club of Great Britain, were determined to take the record back in style and have now raised the bar to heights that will take some beating; at one point in the parade when all the cars were moving simultaneously, there were only less than 250 meters or 820 feet separating the lead car from the tail of the parade, meaning that the entire 3.66-mile Silverstone Grand Prix circuit was filled with Ferraris, three wide across the track.

October 23, 2012

Review: 2012 Honda Civic 1.8 EX

Photos by Ulysses Ang

For the life of me, I can’t seem to understand women and their almost-infinite choice of clothing styles. More than once, I’ve been accused of not paying attention to what my wife wears when she readily points out that her blouse today has got wider stripes compared to the one she wore yesterday. I mean, stripes are stripes. But the tables are turned when it comes to cars where I can readily point out each make and model based on a particular view, part, or sometimes even just by the engine sound. So when I drove up in the all-new Honda Civic, the first thing she asked? So what’s new?

Honed and perfected through more than a century of experience, Peugeot automobiles have become a synergy of style and technology epitomized by its tag line of “Motion & Emotion”. What started out as a manufacturer of bicycles has become Europe’s second largest selling automobile brand and the world’s leading producer of diesel engines. With such a reputation, Peugeot is surely a force to be reckoned with, and all they need is the best local partner to grow the business in the Philippines. That partner has arrived through Eurobrands Distributors, Inc. and now they are setting their sights on leading the luxury car segment.

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